In March 2013, China reported the first human infection with a new avian influenza A-H7N9-virus (World Health Organization [WHO] 2014). The infections from this virus result from one’s exposure birds, and environments contaminated with the virus., as an outbreak is fatal due to its spreading nature. In 2013, WHO reported about 130 cases of H7N9 infections with 44 people succumbing to death.

Transmission of Avian Flu Virus

The avian flu virus can get transmitted to humans from animals in two ways (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2005). First, it can be from birds or environments contaminated with the virus to people. Second, the flu causing virus get reach the humans through a pig, which is an intermediate host. The virus has eight gene segments, allowing the same virus from different species to create a new virus by mixing the genome. A good example can be if a pig gets an infection from both humans and a bird at the same time. In the replication process of the virus, the genome will mix to produce a new virus. The resulting virus may be able to infect humans and still maintain the capability of spreading from human to human. That makes it deadlier.

Risk Factors for Avian Flu

People handling infected birds increase their risk of suffering from the infections. In addition, people, who travel to areas affected by the disease, can easily get the infections (CDC 2005). Also, health  caretakers and whoever takes care of the infected persons is at risk of getting the disease.

How Avian  Flu Outbreak can Affect the Community

In the case of avian flu outbreak, there will be many effects to community systems. Schools will have new programs to contain the disease if the infected person are students. On the other hand, children may fail to go school for fear of spreading the disease or the school may even close. For instance, the CDC (2012) asserts that IN 2010, an elementary school with a meningococcal outbreak in Oklahoma was forced to isolate and provide chemoprophylactic medications for its students. That strained the resources of the local government, which diverted its resources in addressing the problem. In addition, some the hospital personnel withdrew to come and deal with the disease, something that can lead to acute shortages of manpower. Businesses may also fail to run well due to fear of infection since people will avoid congested places.

                                     The Disease Outbreak Reporting Protocol                

Reporting a Disease Outbreak  to Stakeholders in the Community

In California, the public health professionals have the responsibility of reporting notifiable diseases to the local health department in relation to the California Code of Regulations.Similarly, schools should report any case of such diseases. Through such reporting, the local health department and other community stakeholders like the governing bodies can access the information.

Strategies to Prevent a Disease Outbreak

Education about the infectious diseases is key in prevention (WHO 2014). The

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012). Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease Associated with an Elementary School — Oklahoma, Weekly, 61 (13), 217-221

World Health Organization (2014). Avian influenza.Retrieved 13 January, 2015.  From: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). Transmission of Influenza A Viruses Between Animals and People. Retrieved 13 January, 2015.  From: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/transmission.htm